Objectives and work packages
What the Grant Agreement commits the consortium to
B-FREE runs for 24 months across five work packages. The research package is the guiding one: the consortium agreed at kick-off that its findings shape the content, approach and priorities of everything that follows.
What the project is measured against
Each objective carries an indicator with a baseline and a target value written into the Grant Agreement. They are reproduced here as signed, unrounded.
- 01Silence
Empower young athletes with knowledge and tools to prevent bullying
- Indicator
- Athletes completing awareness training
- Baseline
- 0, no existing dedicated training
- Target
- 300 participants across partner clubs
- Second indicator
- 80% of participants demonstrate an increase in understanding
- 02Guesswork
Build the capacity of coaches and sport staff to create bully-free environments
- Indicator
- Coaches and staff trained
- Baseline
- 0, no prior unified training structure
- Target
- 100 individuals across partner clubs
- Second indicator
- Awareness rising from an estimated 30% to 80% after training
- 03Ad-hoc rules
Equip sports clubs and organisations with effective policies and support structures
- Indicator
- Clubs adopting formal anti-bullying policies
- Baseline
- 0, no centralised approach
- Target
- 30 clubs formally adopting the new policies
- Second indicator
- At least 85% of participating clubs with active reporting channels
- 04Tough love
Promote a culture of respect and integrity in sport through education and advocacy
- Indicator
- Campaign reach across partner regions
- Baseline
- None, no existing campaign
- Target
- 5,000 total across partner regions
- Second indicator
- 70% stating increased awareness
The research package guides the other four
The consortium agreed at kick-off that WP2 is the guiding work package: it directly informs the content, approach and priorities of the awareness campaign and of the coach and club work that follow it.
WP1
M1 to M24
Project management and coordination
This work package establishes a structured management framework to ensure the effective and timely implementation of the project. It includes setting up management structures, developing a communication and stakeholder engagement strategy, initiating cross-sectoral collaboration, implementing quality assurance mechanisms, and applying financial and risk management procedures.
Lead
Oslo Orcas IF
NO
WP2
M2 to M10
Comprehensive Research
This work package investigates the nature and extent of bullying in grassroots sports through a comprehensive research process. It combines a systematic literature review, field studies with athletes and coaches, and an exploration of cyberbullying in sports. The findings provide evidence-based insights into challenges and gaps, culminating in a consolidated research report and best-practice guidelines.
Lead
Hacettepe Üniversitesi
TR
WP3
M10 to M20
Awareness Campaign
This work package designs and implements awareness campaigns to promote respectful, inclusive, and bully-free environments in sports. Activities include the development of culturally adaptable campaign concepts, the production of promotional and educational materials, and the organisation of campaigns at grassroots level.
Lead
Spor Gönüllüleri Derneği
TR
WP4
M10 to M23
Coach and Club Empowerment
This work package strengthens the capacity of coaches and sports clubs to prevent and address bullying in youth sports. It develops an online platform with practical resources, delivers tailored training programmes across different sports disciplines, and provides tools for clubs to assess and improve their practices.
Lead
Sport Singularity BV
NL
WP5
M1 to M24
Dissemination and Visibility
This work package guarantees that project outcomes and good practices are effectively shared with stakeholders, decision-makers, and the wider public. It covers the creation of a dissemination strategy, the design and distribution of promotional materials, the use of digital platforms, and the organisation of public events.
Lead
Riječki sportski savez
HR
Where the project has got to
10 November 2025
Grant Agreement signed
Ares(2025)9660574. Eight beneficiaries, 400 000 EUR lump sum, 24 months, no consortium agreement required.
19 January 2026
Kick-off meeting, Oslo
Hosted by Oslo Orcas IF. The consortium reviewed the project vision and roadmap, and agreed that WP2 is the guiding work package: it directly informs the content, approach and priorities of WP3 and WP4.
5 June 2026
WP2 Survey and Focus Group meeting
Online working session of the research work package.
24 September 2026
Second transnational meeting, Rijeka
Hosted by Riječki sportski savez. The last consortium meeting before the WP2 outputs fall due.
Scheduled
